Airworthiness Directives; Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co. Segelflugzeugbau Gliders, 44361-44363 [2017-20052]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 183 / Friday, September 22, 2017 / Proposed Rules List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39 Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by reference, Safety. The Proposed Amendment Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows: PART 39—AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES 1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: ■ Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. § 39.13 [Amended] 2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD): ■ Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation: Docket No. FAA–2017–0910; Product Identifier 2017–CE–027–AD. (a) Comments Due Date We must receive comments by November 6, 2017. (b) Affected ADs None. (c) Applicability This AD applies to Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation Model GIII (G–1159A), serial number (S/N) 460; Model G–IV, S/Ns 1129, 1151, 1167, 1175, 1214, and 1380; and Model GIV–X, S/Ns 4118 and 4227 airplanes. (d) Subject Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/ Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 57, Wings. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by a report that certain flap tracks were manufactured with the upper flange thickness less than design minimum. We are issuing this AD to prevent deformation or failure of a flap track that could cause flap actuator failure, ‘‘B track’’ roller overload, flap twisting/failure, or asymmetrical flap track failure. This failure could result in an unrecoverable roll. (f) Compliance Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. (g) Replace Flap Track C Within the next 6 months after the effective date of this AD, replace the flap track C on the left side, part number (P/N) 1159WM20052–105, and/or the flap track C on the right side, P/N 1159WM20052–106, with an airworthy part. Do the replacements following Gulfstream III Customer Bulletin Number 187, Gulfstream G450 Customer Bulletin Number 195, or Gulfstream IV Customer Bulletin Number 240, all dated June 28, 2017, as applicable. VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:19 Sep 21, 2017 Jkt 241001 44361 (h) Reporting Requirement Although Gulfstream III Customer Bulletin Number 187, Gulfstream G450 Customer Bulletin Number 195, and Gulfstream IV Customer Bulletin Number 240, all dated June 28, 2017, specify to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not require that action. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (i) Special Flight Permit Special flight permits under 14 CFR 39.23 are allowed with the following limitation: Do not extend 39 degrees (FULL) flaps until airspeed is at or below 170 knots. RIN 2120–AA64 (j) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (1) The Manager, Atlanta ACO Branch, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request to your principal inspector or local Flight Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information directly to the manager of the ACO Branch, send it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (k) of this AD. (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the local flight standards district office/ certificate holding district office. (3) For service information that contains steps that are labeled as Required for Compliance (RC), the provisions of paragraph (g) of this AD apply. (i) The steps labeled as RC, including substeps under an RC step and any figures identified in an RC step, must be done to comply with the AD. An AMOC is required for any deviations to RC steps, including substeps and identified figures. (ii) Steps not labeled as RC may be deviated from using accepted methods in accordance with the operator’s maintenance or inspection program without obtaining approval of an AMOC, provided the RC steps, including substeps and identified figures, can still be done as specified, and the airplane can be put back in an airworthy condition. AGENCY: (k) Related Information (1) For more information about this AD, contact Ron Wissing, Aerospace Engineer, Atlanta ACO Branch, FAA, 1701 Columbia Avenue, College Park, Georgia 30337; phone: (404) 474–5552; fax: (404) 474–5606; email: ronald.wissing@faa.gov. (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, P.O. Box 2206, Savannah, Georgia 31404–2206; telephone: (912) 965– 3000; fax: (912) 965–3520; email: pubs@ gulfstream.com; Internet: www.gulfstream.com. FAA, Policy and Innovation Division, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call (816) 329–4148. Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on September 14, 2017. Pat Mullen, Acting Deputy Director, Policy & Innovation Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2017–20051 Filed 9–21–17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–13–P PO 00000 Frm 00015 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 39 [Docket No. FAA–2017–0911; Product Identifier 2017–CE–025–AD] Airworthiness Directives; Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co. Segelflugzeugbau Gliders Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of Transportation (DOT). ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM). We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co. Segelflugzeugbau Models ASH 25M and ASH 26E gliders. This proposed AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as fatigue cracks found on the exhaust silencer. We are issuing this proposed AD to require actions to address the unsafe condition on these products. SUMMARY: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by November 6, 2017. ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods: • Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments. • Fax: (202) 493–2251. • Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M– 30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590. • Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M– 30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co. Segelflugzeugbau, AlexanderSchleicher-Str. 1, D–36163 Poppenhausen, Germany; phone: +49 (0) 06658 89–0; fax: +49 (0) 06658 89– 40; Internet: https://www.alexanderschleicher.de/; email: info@alexanderschleicher.de. You may review this referenced service information at the FAA, Policy and Innovation Division, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri DATES: E:\FR\FM\22SEP1.SGM 22SEP1 44362 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 183 / Friday, September 22, 2017 / Proposed Rules 64106. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call (816) 329–4148. Examining the AD Docket You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at https:// www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA–2017– 0911; or in person at the Docket Management Facility between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains this proposed AD, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street address for the Docket Office (telephone (800) 647–5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jim Rutherford, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Standards Branch, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329– 4165; fax: (816) 329–4090; email: jim.rutherford@faa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Comments Invited We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ‘‘Docket No. FAA–2017–0911; Product Identifier 2017–CE–025–AD’’ at the beginning of your comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this proposed AD because of those comments. We will post all comments we receive, without change, to https:// regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we receive about this proposed AD. Discussion The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued AD No. 2017– 0136, dated July 31, 2017 (referred to after this as ‘‘the MCAI’’), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The MCAI states: Occurrences were reported of finding cracks on exhaust silencer part number (P/N) 800.65.0001, installed on ASK 21 Mi powered sailplanes. Subsequent investigation determined that the affected part is susceptible to fatigue cracking and is also VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:19 Sep 21, 2017 Jkt 241001 installed on other Schleicher powered sailplanes. This condition, if not corrected, could lead to heat damage in the engine compartment and to the engine installation, possibly resulting in reduced control of the powered sailplane. To address this potentially unsafe condition, Schleicher issued Technical Note (TN) ASK 21 Mi No. 11, TN ASW 22 BLE 50R No. 16, TN ASH 25 M/Mi No. 32 and TN ASH 26 E No. 19 (single document, hereafter referred to as ‘the TN’ in this [EASA] AD), to provide replacement instructions. For the reasons described above, this [EASA] AD requires replacement of the affected exhaust silencer with an improved part and introduces installation restrictions of a part with P/N 800.65.0001. You may examine the MCAI on the Internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA–2017–0911. Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51 Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co. Segelflugzeugbau has issued ASK 21 Mi Technical Note No. 11, ASW 22 BLE 50R Technical Note No. 16, ASH 25 M/ Mi Technical Note No. 32, ASH 26 E Technical Note No. 19 (single document), dated January 8, 2016. The service information describes procedures for replacing the exhaust silencer with an improved part. This service information is reasonably available because the interested parties have access to it through their normal course of business or by the means identified in the ADDRESSES section of this NPRM. FAA’s Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to our bilateral agreement with this State of Design Authority, they have notified us of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and service information referenced above. We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all information and determined the unsafe condition exists and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type design. Costs of Compliance We estimate that this proposed AD will affect 35 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it would take about 8 work-hours per product to comply with the basic requirements of this proposed AD. The average labor rate is $85 per work-hour. Required parts would cost about $3,900 per product. PO 00000 Frm 00016 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this proposed AD on U.S. operators to be $160,300, or $4,580 per product. We have no way of determining the number of products that have an affected exhaust silencer, part number 800.65.0001, installed that would need to be replaced. Therefore, this cost estimate includes all affected gliders on the U.S. registry. Authority for This Rulemaking Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA’s authority to issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the authority of the FAA Administrator. ‘‘Subtitle VII: Aviation Programs,’’ describes in more detail the scope of the Agency’s authority. We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in ‘‘Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, section 44701: General requirements.’’ Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this rulemaking action. This AD is issued in accordance with authority delegated by the Executive Director, Aircraft Certification Service, as authorized by FAA Order 8000.51C. In accordance with that order, issuance of ADs is normally a function of the Compliance and Airworthiness Division, but during this transition period, the Executive Director has delegated the authority to issue ADs applicable to small airplanes, gliders, and domestic business jet transport airplanes to the Director of the Policy and Innovation Division. Regulatory Findings We determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would not have a substantial direct effect on the States, on the relationship between the national Government and the States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government. For the reasons discussed above, I certify this proposed regulation: (1) Is not a ‘‘significant regulatory action’’ under Executive Order 12866, (2) Is not a ‘‘significant rule’’ under the DOT Regulatory Policies and E:\FR\FM\22SEP1.SGM 22SEP1 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 183 / Friday, September 22, 2017 / Proposed Rules Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979), (3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and (4) Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria of the Regulatory Flexibility Act. List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39 Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by reference, Safety. The Proposed Amendment Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows: PART 39—AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES 1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: ■ Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. § 39.13 [Amended] 2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding the following new AD: ■ Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co. Segelflugzeugbau: Docket No. FAA– 2017–0911; Product Identifier 2017–CE– 025–AD. (a) Comments Due Date We must receive comments by November 6, 2017. (b) Affected ADs None. (c) Applicability This AD applies to Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co. Segelflugzeugbau Models ASH 25M and ASH 26E gliders, all serial numbers, that: (1) Have an exhaust silencer, part number (P/N) 800.65.0001, installed; and (2) are certificated in any category. (d) Subject Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 78: Engine Exhaust. (e) Reason This AD was prompted by mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as fatigue cracks found on the exhaust silencer. We are issuing this AD to prevent heat damage in the engine compartment and to the engine installation, which could result in reduced control. (f) Actions and Compliance Unless already done, do the following actions: (1) Before exceeding 150 hours time-inservice (TIS) on the exhaust silencer, (P/N) VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:19 Sep 21, 2017 Jkt 241001 800.65.0001, since new, or within the next 5 hours TIS after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later, replace P/N 800.65.0001 with an improved exhaust silencer, P/N 800.65.9010. Do the replacement as specified in Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co. Segelflugzeugbau ASK 21 Mi Technical Note No. 11, ASW 22 BLE 50 R Technical Note No. 16, ASH 25 M/ Mi Technical Note No. 32, ASH 26 E Technical Note No. 19 (single document), dated January 8, 2016. (2) As of the effective date of this AD, do not install a P/N 800.65.0001 exhaust silencer. (g) Other FAA AD Provisions The following provisions also apply to this AD: (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, Small Airplane Standards Branch, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send information to ATTN: Jim Rutherford, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Standards Branch, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329–4165; fax: (816) 329–4090; email: jim.rutherford@faa.gov. Before using any approved AMOC on any glider to which the AMOC applies, notify your appropriate principal inspector (PI) in the FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local FSDO. (2) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any requirement in this AD to obtain corrective actions from a manufacturer, the action must be accomplished using a method approved by the Manager, Small Airplane Standards Branch, FAA; or the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). (h) Related Information Refer to MCAI EASA AD 2017–0136, dated July 31, 2017, for related information. You may examine the MCAI on the Internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA–2017–0911. For service information related to this AD, contact Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co. Segelflugzeugbau, Alexander-Schleicher-Str. 1, D–36163 Poppenhausen, Germany; phone: +49 (0) 06658 89–0; fax: +49 (0) 06658 89– 40; Internet: https://www.alexanderschleicher.de/; email: info@alexanderschleicher.de. You may review this referenced service information at the FAA, Policy and Innovation Division, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call (816) 329–4148. Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on September 14, 2017. Pat Mullen, Acting Deputy Director, Policy & Innovation Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2017–20052 Filed 9–21–17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–13–P PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 44363 DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 39 [Docket No. FAA–2017–0103; Product Identifier 2016–SW–086–AD] RIN 2120–AA64 Airworthiness Directives; Agusta S.p.A. Helicopters Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM). AGENCY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Agusta S.p.A. Model AB139 and Model AW139 helicopters. This proposed AD would require inspecting the thickness of the tail gearbox (TGB) central housing (housing). This proposed AD is prompted by reports that the housing thickness does not conform to its type design. The actions of this proposed AD are intended to detect and correct an unsafe condition on these products. DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by November 21, 2017. SUMMARY: You may send comments by any of the following methods: • Federal eRulemaking Docket: Go to https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for sending your comments electronically. • Fax: 202–493–2251. • Mail: Send comments to the U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M–30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590–0001. • Hand Delivery: Deliver to the ‘‘Mail’’ address between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. ADDRESSES: Examining the AD Docket You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at https:// www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA–2017– 0103; or in person at the Docket Operations Office between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains this proposed AD, the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, the economic evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street address for the Docket Operations Office (telephone 800–647–5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt. E:\FR\FM\22SEP1.SGM 22SEP1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 183 (Friday, September 22, 2017)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 44361-44363]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-20052]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2017-0911; Product Identifier 2017-CE-025-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co. 
Segelflugzeugbau Gliders

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co. Segelflugzeugbau Models ASH 25M and ASH 
26E gliders. This proposed AD results from mandatory continuing 
airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of 
another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an 
aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as fatigue 
cracks found on the exhaust silencer. We are issuing this proposed AD 
to require actions to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by November 6, 
2017.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax: (202) 493-2251.
     Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
     Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact 
Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co. Segelflugzeugbau, Alexander-Schleicher-
Str. 1, D-36163 Poppenhausen, Germany; phone: +49 (0) 06658 89-0; fax: 
+49 (0) 06658 89-40; Internet: https://www.alexander-schleicher.de/; 
email: info@alexander-schleicher.de. You may review this referenced 
service information at the FAA, Policy and Innovation Division, 901 
Locust, Kansas City, Missouri

[[Page 44362]]

64106. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, 
call (816) 329-4148.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2017-
0911; or in person at the Docket Management Facility between 9 a.m. and 
5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket 
contains this proposed AD, the regulatory evaluation, any comments 
received, and other information. The street address for the Docket 
Office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. Comments 
will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jim Rutherford, Aerospace Engineer, 
FAA, Small Airplane Standards Branch, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas 
City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4165; fax: (816) 329-4090; 
email: jim.rutherford@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2017-0911; 
Product Identifier 2017-CE-025-AD'' at the beginning of your comments. 
We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, 
environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We will consider 
all comments received by the closing date and may amend this proposed 
AD because of those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to https://regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We 
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we 
receive about this proposed AD.

Discussion

    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued AD 
No. 2017-0136, dated July 31, 2017 (referred to after this as ``the 
MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The 
MCAI states:

    Occurrences were reported of finding cracks on exhaust silencer 
part number (P/N) 800.65.0001, installed on ASK 21 Mi powered 
sailplanes. Subsequent investigation determined that the affected 
part is susceptible to fatigue cracking and is also installed on 
other Schleicher powered sailplanes.
    This condition, if not corrected, could lead to heat damage in 
the engine compartment and to the engine installation, possibly 
resulting in reduced control of the powered sailplane.
    To address this potentially unsafe condition, Schleicher issued 
Technical Note (TN) ASK 21 Mi No. 11, TN ASW 22 BLE 50R No. 16, TN 
ASH 25 M/Mi No. 32 and TN ASH 26 E No. 19 (single document, 
hereafter referred to as `the TN' in this [EASA] AD), to provide 
replacement instructions.
    For the reasons described above, this [EASA] AD requires 
replacement of the affected exhaust silencer with an improved part 
and introduces installation restrictions of a part with P/N 
800.65.0001.

You may examine the MCAI on the Internet at https://www.regulations.gov 
by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2017-0911.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co. Segelflugzeugbau has issued ASK 21 
Mi Technical Note No. 11, ASW 22 BLE 50R Technical Note No. 16, ASH 25 
M/Mi Technical Note No. 32, ASH 26 E Technical Note No. 19 (single 
document), dated January 8, 2016. The service information describes 
procedures for replacing the exhaust silencer with an improved part. 
This service information is reasonably available because the interested 
parties have access to it through their normal course of business or by 
the means identified in the ADDRESSES section of this NPRM.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD

    This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another 
country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant 
to our bilateral agreement with this State of Design Authority, they 
have notified us of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and 
service information referenced above. We are proposing this AD because 
we evaluated all information and determined the unsafe condition exists 
and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type 
design.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD will affect 35 products of U.S. 
registry. We also estimate that it would take about 8 work-hours per 
product to comply with the basic requirements of this proposed AD. The 
average labor rate is $85 per work-hour. Required parts would cost 
about $3,900 per product.
    Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this proposed AD on 
U.S. operators to be $160,300, or $4,580 per product.
    We have no way of determining the number of products that have an 
affected exhaust silencer, part number 800.65.0001, installed that 
would need to be replaced. Therefore, this cost estimate includes all 
affected gliders on the U.S. registry.

Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the 
authority of the FAA Administrator. ``Subtitle VII: Aviation 
Programs,'' describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's 
authority.
    We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
``Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, section 44701: General 
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with 
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing 
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator 
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within 
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition 
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this 
rulemaking action.
    This AD is issued in accordance with authority delegated by the 
Executive Director, Aircraft Certification Service, as authorized by 
FAA Order 8000.51C. In accordance with that order, issuance of ADs is 
normally a function of the Compliance and Airworthiness Division, but 
during this transition period, the Executive Director has delegated the 
authority to issue ADs applicable to small airplanes, gliders, and 
domestic business jet transport airplanes to the Director of the Policy 
and Innovation Division.

Regulatory Findings

    We determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would not 
have a substantial direct effect on the States, on the relationship 
between the national Government and the States, or on the distribution 
of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify this proposed 
regulation:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866,
    (2) Is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT Regulatory Policies 
and

[[Page 44363]]

Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979),
    (3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (4) Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or 
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria 
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

0
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.


Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new AD:

Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co. Segelflugzeugbau: Docket No. FAA-
2017-0911; Product Identifier 2017-CE-025-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by November 6, 2017.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co. 
Segelflugzeugbau Models ASH 25M and ASH 26E gliders, all serial 
numbers, that:
    (1) Have an exhaust silencer, part number (P/N) 800.65.0001, 
installed; and
    (2) are certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 78: Engine 
Exhaust.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another 
country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation 
product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as fatigue cracks 
found on the exhaust silencer. We are issuing this AD to prevent 
heat damage in the engine compartment and to the engine 
installation, which could result in reduced control.

(f) Actions and Compliance

    Unless already done, do the following actions:
    (1) Before exceeding 150 hours time-in-service (TIS) on the 
exhaust silencer, (P/N) 800.65.0001, since new, or within the next 5 
hours TIS after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs 
later, replace P/N 800.65.0001 with an improved exhaust silencer, P/
N 800.65.9010. Do the replacement as specified in Alexander 
Schleicher GmbH & Co. Segelflugzeugbau ASK 21 Mi Technical Note No. 
11, ASW 22 BLE 50 R Technical Note No. 16, ASH 25 M/Mi Technical 
Note No. 32, ASH 26 E Technical Note No. 19 (single document), dated 
January 8, 2016.
    (2) As of the effective date of this AD, do not install a P/N 
800.65.0001 exhaust silencer.

(g) Other FAA AD Provisions

    The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
Small Airplane Standards Branch, FAA, has the authority to approve 
AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
39.19. Send information to ATTN: Jim Rutherford, Aerospace Engineer, 
FAA, Small Airplane Standards Branch, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas 
City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4165; fax: (816) 329-
4090; email: jim.rutherford@faa.gov. Before using any approved AMOC 
on any glider to which the AMOC applies, notify your appropriate 
principal inspector (PI) in the FAA Flight Standards District Office 
(FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local FSDO.
    (2) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any requirement in this AD 
to obtain corrective actions from a manufacturer, the action must be 
accomplished using a method approved by the Manager, Small Airplane 
Standards Branch, FAA; or the European Aviation Safety Agency 
(EASA).

(h) Related Information

    Refer to MCAI EASA AD 2017-0136, dated July 31, 2017, for 
related information. You may examine the MCAI on the Internet at 
https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. 
FAA-2017-0911. For service information related to this AD, contact 
Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co. Segelflugzeugbau, Alexander-
Schleicher-Str. 1, D-36163 Poppenhausen, Germany; phone: +49 (0) 
06658 89-0; fax: +49 (0) 06658 89-40; Internet: https://www.alexander-schleicher.de/; email: info@alexander-schleicher.de. 
You may review this referenced service information at the FAA, 
Policy and Innovation Division, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 
64106. For information on the availability of this material at the 
FAA, call (816) 329-4148.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on September 14, 2017.
Pat Mullen,
Acting Deputy Director, Policy & Innovation Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-20052 Filed 9-21-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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